2 seperate clunking issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

TacoBill35 · 02-24-2010, 03:15 PM

08 Highlander Sport 2WD, 30k miles.

After some searching here, I have the steering knock, but can't find any threads on the other.

Issue is, when cold (first started), and shifted into Reverse, there's a clunking sound as the vehicle first begins to move.

It's been doing this as long as I can remember and always thought it's just the transmission reverse gear engaging.

After the car is warmed up, it doesn't make that sound anymore.

Anyone else experience this sound when shifting into Reverse for the first time?

If this is an issue, I'm planning on addressing this and the steering noise before my warranty expires.

YotaRunner4 · 02-25-2010, 07:41 AM

I have the same problem. Last week the dealer had the HL for 4 days and thought they finally fixed it. I picked it up and was able to reproduce it with the mechanic in the seat. I needed the HL back for the weekend, and I still need to make another appt to bring it back. Hopefully someone knows what this is.

Let me clarify, my issue is a steering knock after putting the vehicle in reverse and slowly backing up while slightly turning the wheels. I don't have any tranny clunk though.

AdamsCL · 02-25-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YotaRunner4

I have the same problem. Last week the dealer had the HL for 4 days and thought they finally fixed it. I picked it up and was able to reproduce it with the mechanic in the seat. I needed the HL back for the weekend, and I still need to make another appt to bring it back. Hopefully someone knows what this is.

Let me clarify, my issue is a steering knock after putting the vehicle in reverse and slowly backing up while slightly turning the wheels. I don't have any tranny clunk though.

The sound you are hearing when in reverse and turning the wheels may be the brake pads shifting slightly within the calipers. A small amount of play is necessary to allow for expansion and contraction as the brake pads heat up and cool down. I've experienced the noise you're describing on my HL and traced it down to being the brake pads. Hope this helps...

YotaRunner4 · 02-25-2010, 01:22 PM

So what makes you think its the brake pads (or how did you track it down)? To me, I can't see how the brake pads can make such a noise. Sometimes it is quite load. And it only happens in reverse.

tvnorm123 · 02-25-2010, 06:52 PM

I have the same noise on my 2008. I am due for an oil change and was thinking of having the dealer check it out. When I leave my house in the morning for work, I have to back up and turn my wheel. I have never experimented with backing up straight. The weather here has been lousy so I haven't been able to really try to diagnose it. I hope I can find an answer here so I can have the dealer check it out. It does sound like a louder/stronger noise than brake pad shift.

WildWest · 02-25-2010, 07:17 PM

Hi all, I just joined he forum but been reading in the background for some time. There is some great information discussed here.

As far as the clunking noise, I have a 2008 base model that makes the same noise (only in reverse and the 1st time I step on the brakes to slow down). I took it in to the dealer and they told me it was the brake pads shifting within the caliper as AdamsCL indicated. They also told me this was normal and there was nothing they could do. I shrugged it off and decided to just deal with it, eventhough it is quite loud.

By the way my 2002 Honda CR-V did the same thing and the TSB they put out to fix it did not work!

arifshahzad · 03-16-2010, 05:57 PM

I have 08 HL sport. I hear the same clank noise every time when I back up from garage. My oil change is due and would like the dealer to figure it out. But I am dead sure they would say it is normal and they cant do anything about it. Anyway, anyone find a solution or a reason for this nosie please post.

It is good to know that I am not the only one.